Hotel Casa Maro

Next to Nerja lies a quaint little village where time seems to have stood still. It's an interesting contrast: as busy as it can get in Nerja, it is equally as quiet in the authentic village of Maro. Beautifully situated on top of the rocks, friendly villagers, groups of old men who discuss the latest local gossip under a tree, here people live a little bit slower.

On the edge of Maro, on the side of the sea, you will find Casa Maro, a lovely hotel. When we stood in front of the hotel during our visit we immediately thought of Pippi Longstocking. It's a beautiful large building with all sorts of nooks and even a small swimming pool.

The hotel only accommodates eight rooms, all differently arranged. The rooms are rather simple but it is very clean here, something that is always very much on our radar. The rooms are warmly decorated with all kinds of personal belongings from the sympathetic owner Catharina. She has been running the hotel for some 20 years and really has a heart for the business. All of the rooms are on the front side of the hotel, so you have a view of the depths of the sea from all rooms and can see Nerja in the distance.

The hotel is geared specifically to people who do not want to spend a lot of money, but do want to sit close to the sea without getting stuck in the hustle and bustle of the coast.

The hotel serves a breakfast buffet, for lunch and dinner you have to look for a restaurant in e.g. Nerja.

Maro has a beautiful, quiet beach. It's quite a descent to get there, but you can also reach it by car.

Cons:
• Rooms are not very large, but clean
• Considerable descent to the beach, but it is also reachable by car

Pros:
• Quiet refuge in a touristy environment
• Cosy and warm hotel
• Parking is free on the street
• Lovely and authentic Spanish village

facilities

Hotel

- There is no restaurant where you can have lunch or dinner. The hotel serves breakfast between 01/03 – 31/10.
- Bar.
- Small heated swimming pool.
- Terrace at the pool.
- Internet connection (wifi) in every room.
- Children are welcome.
- No rooms with wheelchair access.
- No lift.
- Pets are welcome.
- The hotel offers a range of different excursions/activities.
- Hotel does not have its own parking facilities. Parking in the street.
- Hotel is situated in the centre of the village Maro.

Rooms

Every room has air conditioning, heating, TV, fridge, internet connection, safe and its own terrace or balcony.
Fully-equipped bathrooms with bath.
The hotel has 8 rooms, including 2 single rooms and 6 double rooms.

rates, terms & conditions

surrounding area

Maro
Very nice little coast town, not yet discovered by mass tourism, like as in Nerja.

Active
Options for activities include walks and bike rides. Or a tour further inland past the pueblos blancos (white villages). And you can, of course, also play a round of golf.
Nearby La Herradura is Andalucía's prime location for diving.

Family
A visit to the caves of Nerja will definitely excite the kids.

Beach
Maro has a few beaches. Nerja has various beaches. The Playa Burriana in particular is worth the effort.
In the direction of La Herradura there are several beautiful bays situated between the rocks. Many of these beaches are pebble beaches.

The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Nerja (7km; 10min)
This town with over 500 years of history has retained its character, with its whitewashed houses, narrow streets and squares. Tourists crowd the Balcón de Europa, a sprawling rock that spectacularly protrudes into the sea and offers a view of the magnificent coastline. This natural balcony is in the centre of Nerja. Various staircases lead down to the beaches and bays.
The nicest beach is Playa Burriana, on the eastern side of Nerja.
Further east you will find the Cuevas de Nerja, a string of caverns of great archaeological importance. Only a few of these colossal caverns are open to the public, and there you will be lead past the world’s thickest stalactite, which even made it into the Guinness Book of Records in 1989.

Frigiliana (10km; 14min)
Frigiliana is a charming white village, a few kilometres inland from Nerja. Local artesanía shops sell local honey and regional Muscatel wines.

La Herradura (13km; 15min):
La Herradura is one of the finest seaside resorts west of Almuñecar on the Costa Tropical. It is known for its magnificent aspect on a bay with a wide beach, jammed in between spectacular cliffs. It is also Andalucía's prime location for diving.

Málaga (58km; 50min):
The bustling port city of Málaga is Andalucía’s biggest city after Seville. It used to be an important trading port, because in the 19th century Málaga wine was exported all over Europe, until Phylloxera, the pest that had already destroyed grapevines all over Europe, reached Málaga and put an end to its wealth.
Málaga old town is the area around the cathedral. The Museo Picasso is also near the cathedral, and exhibits many of the works of this famous artist, who was born in Málaga. Further sights include the Alcazaba, one of the prime Moorish fortresses in Andalucía, and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, a 14th-century Moorish castle, which you can access through its beautiful gardens.
Also make sure you taste some of Málaga’s fine wines in a bodega, some of which also serve delicious tapas.

And you can, of course, head for one of these world famous cities for a day trip:
Granada (98km; 1h25min):
The Alhambra was the part of town where princes, nobility and court staff dwelled, on the hill right in the middle of Granada. The Alhambra is a huge complex, 720m in length and 220m wide. Clever use of space, light, water and decorative features are the Alhambra’s defining features.
On the hill opposite the Alhambra, the Albayzín quarter, is where Granada’s Moorish past is still most tangible. Stroll through its narrow streets, past villas with Moorish decoration and gardens, up to the Mirador de San Nicolás. This is where you will have the best views, of the roofs of Granada, with the Alhambra behind them, which makes for a stunning view, especially at sunset!

Córdoba (212km; 2h25min):
Visit the Mezquita, Córdoba's huge mosque, which has seen various different developments throughout the years to become a fascinating blend of styles and religions. And you can also go for a stroll through the districts of San Lorenzo, Judería and San Basilio, where you will encounter the most beautiful Moorish patios. Other sights include the palace/fortress Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with magnificent gardens and fountains; various museums, such as the Museo Arqueológico, Museo Taurino, Museo de Bellas Artes; a string of great squares, such as the Plaza de la Corredera, Plaza del Potro.

Seville (262km; 2h55min):
The capital of Andalucía is a compact city with a rich past. Most of its major sights are in or near the city centre on the Guadalquivir river’s left bank. And they also know how to party and have a good time in this city of flamenco and tapas.
As you wander through the old Jewish quarter, the Barrio Santa Cruz, through a maze of white streets and patios, you should not forget to take in the imposing cathedral, the Moorish bell tower, La Giralda, and the royal palace Real Alcázar.
You can unwind in the María Luisa park, where you can spend the hottest part of the day under orange trees and palm trees.
The museum Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain’s best museums of art, is a real must. And then there are its magnificent palaces and other sights, such as the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza (bull ring); Casa de Pilatos and the Torre del Oro.